When I look up, Dean is walking towards me, and on his bare chest, I see my name tattooed across it. I am in absolute disbelief.
Holy shit. He’s actually fucking insane.
My eyes meet his, and a grin spreads across his face. “Do you like it? I got it done about a year ago.”
All I can manage is a small smile and a nod of my head. “What time is it, again?” I ask him since he never answered me earlier. I just want to know how long has passed since I’ve been gone.
“It’s about dinnertime. Are you hungry?” he asks, and even though my stomach is rumbling with hunger, I don’t see myself keeping anything down.
“I’m okay for now,” I tell him. “Can you show me around?” I don’t know that he will, but anything to avoid going back into the bedroom and being tied up again.
Dean looks at me, his eyes searching my face. Almost like he’s trying to see what I’m planning. The sad fact is, I have no plan right now. He holds all of the control here.
“Fine, but if you try anything, I’ll fucking take you and no one will ever know where to find you.” His words hit all the way to my bones, and I nod my head. He wraps an arm around me and pushes me forward.
We come to the end of the hall, and it opens up into a living room. The furniture is covered with old sheets, and the kitchen light is on, showing all the dust that has settled in this old, forgotten house. It’s definitely a trailer home. His grandparents were pretty well off, so this doesn’t scream like it would have been theirs.
Fuck, where the hell are we then?
“The big house is closer to the pond. They bought this one for my parents so we didn’t have to invade their space during summer visits,” Dean says as we walk deeper into the house.
Entering the kitchen now, I see that it’s been used more than the rest of the house. I look over to the dining room and see two laptops sitting open on the table. I see my house in a little square on the screen. Another screen shows Harley’s house. Atlas’s house. And the bookshop. He’s been watching every move I make. Watching all of the people I love and care about.
“Can I ask what the plan is for me?” I ask boldly as his arm pulls me closer. My stomach clenches.
“Well, you took away my baby,” he says as he walks me over to the table. He pulls out a chair and pushes me down onto it. He pulls out the chair next to it, and reaches under mine and drags it closer, so I'min between his knees. He’s trying so hard to force this intimacy, but all of his actions make me want to scream and throw my fists into his eyes.
“And since he’s not a baby anymore, I want another shot.” His gaze leaves the screen, and he looks me dead in the eyes. I can feel my soul leave my body. “I want us to be a family,” he says as he raises his hand and strokes my cheek in an attempt to mimic a loving and healthy partner. My body, my brain,everythingwithin me is screaming. I can’t do this.
“Dean—I…” I start, and then abruptly stop, because I know this is going to be the snapping point for him. “I can’t have any more children,” I tell him, rushing the words out. He looks down and back up, and before I can process what I see in his eyes, he backhands me across the face. The force sends me back into my chair. I reach up to touch my face where his hand connected, and it's hot to the touch. He’s never physically hurt me before, and my brain and body are so shocked at his actions, I have no time to process what comes next.
“I only wanted to fucking love you. I wanted you to love me back!” Dean screams in my face. Without hesitation, he yanks me up from my chair, hands on each of my arms. His grip is so tight, there is no doubt there will be bruises.
“Why won’t you just fucking love me?” he continues to scream. He turns me around and shoves me flat against the table, my upper body flush against it, bent over at the waist. My body goes into panic mode, and I start thrashing and kicking, doing absolutely anything to make him stop. His hand comes up over my mouth, and I bite and spit as much as possible. I fight like hell until Dean plugs my nose and mouth, his body over the top of mine. His weight settles onto my back, and the loss of air to my lungs has me weak, but I try to keep fighting. Much to my dismay, he’s bigger and stronger than me. And he wins.
Right before I lose consciousness, I feel a heavy hand yank my pants down, and air hits my backside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
HARLEY
I am losingmy fucking mind.
It’s pitch black outside and sitting in this house, even though it’s not silent, has me absolutely losing my mind. The silence would drive me more insane, if i’m being honest.
Asher tried to get Atlas to go home, but she’s on a cross of a warpath and a mental breakdown. I’m not too far from her. We’ve looked at all of the usual places Dean has been spotted. He’s nowhere.
“Atlas, please, you can’t go out in the middle of the night.” Asher follows behind Atlas, who is headed for the door, keys in hand.
I walk into the living room from the kitchen. “Atlas, you won’t be able to find her tonight.”
She looks me in the eye with a challenge. “Watch me.” Atlas absolutely gets her fire from her mama and her sister. Damn.
“Chase and the boys are trying to ping her last location before her phone turned off. Once they do that, we can start there.” I try to reassure her. I’m trying to reassure myself too, because I want to be outlooking for her too. “You can't function properly when you’re tired, and when we get her location, we’re going to need everyone on their A game.” I see defeat cross her face, and though I’m pleased she’s not leaving, my heart breaks for her.
I love Ember to death. I’d burn the world to keep her safe, but Ember and Atlas’s bond is a force. I walk towards her, pulling her into a hug. “We’re going to bring her home, and we’re going to make him fucking pay for the pain and worry.”
Asher sits on the couch with an “oomph.” Atlas follows suit, curling into him. They put Aria down earlier after she had dinner and a bath. We’re all mentally and physically wiped. I feel like an absolute load of shit. I’m just sitting here, and goddess only knows what Dean is doing with her.
